Knighthood for Key undeserved
Arise “Sir” John. Our past PM is a charismatic man. He has been a good ambassador for New Zealand on the world stage, a man who has exuded confidence through being an extrovert. I look back on his eight years in charge and ask what are his achievements? Yes, he has been a steady hand at the helm, mostly hands off, a believer in an “unimpeded free market”. He has presided over an economy that has been performing better than most. This is no thanks to him but more due to inheriting a low debt situation which allowed his Government to borrow to the max.
The economy was also boosted by China buying up commodities on a massive scale. Nature also played its hand through earthquake destruction, which resulted in $15 billion-plus of insurance money flowing in from offshore reinsurers. His Government’s open immigration policy played its positive and negative part.
Yes, the economy is booming, mostly fuelled by the construction industry on the back of high immigration and borrowed money. However, most of his standout achievements, like those of most politicians, are self-serving: a tax cut for the wealthy, the top honours reverting to Sir and Dame, dropping inheritance tax, a failed attempt to create a lasting legacy by changing our flag.
His real legacy is a deeply divided have/have-not society. Some living in mansions, others in cars. The main beneficiaries have been the wealthy and home-owning baby boomer generation. Massive debt is now passed on to future generations and with home prices out of reach for those without inherited wealth. For this he receives a knighthood? Something is seriously wrong.
David F Little, Whangarei.
Popular move?
Great move back in 2008 to reintroduce knighthoods. To quote Mr Key, “Look, we brought them back in 2008 and actually, in our experience, it’s been a really good move, the honours system has never been more popular than when we brought them back.” Really? Being very well paid for doing just an average job, while running up a massive debt. Well done Sir. I do not know who to cheer for the most, Sir John Key or Sir Russell Coutts?
Peter Jamieson, Titirangi.
Ditch British honours
Seeing the knight of the satisfied smirk must convince us to ditch the British honours system. John Key gets a foreign title for eight years of an “aw, shucks”, donothing Government interested only in making a buck.
As a consequence, we still have to deal with homeless people in a housing crisis, waterways so polluted any contact risks infection and increasing inequality of wealth and opportunity in life.
We would do better to bestow our own honours on fellow citizens who really deserve them for making this country a better place to live. Stan Jones, Hamilton.
Tackle ruined tour
One has to ask: where was Gregor Paul in 2005? I have never read, in the Herald or elsewhere in our rugby media anything approaching the begrudging acceptance that there might have been some wrongdoing. In 2005, no one, absolutely no one, in the New Zealand media, including the Herald, owned up to see anything wrong with the Umaga/ Mealamu tackle, which, to say the least, tainted the last Lions’ tour but to my mind ruined it.
It was foul then and it still rarks me up and though I still took New Zealand citizenship, I still see it as a very dark and sad day for the fairness of New Zealand rugby and the rugby judiciary.
Christopher Johnstone, Grey Lynn.
Put troops on street
I find it hard to understand why countries faced with g Islamic terrorism do not put heavily armed soldiers on the streets to keep citizens safe. Surely this could be some deterrent to those planning attacks.
Most countries have some form of military personnel who could be patrolling 24/7. Why not use them? It’s time to put their training to good use.
These events will continue to occur because the perpetrators have learned that they have nothing to fear. It is the public that has much to fear.
Terry Coutts, Pakuranga.
Fighting terrorism
It is very difficult for the normal person to come to grips with why someone living in a democracy would become so incensed they would want to kill indiscriminately. However, when one looks at what goes on in Afghanistan and the Middle East it is obvious that these people have little regard for humanity including themselves. Theresa May has spoken the right words but now is the time for appropriate action.
Cyberspace is blamed for much of the radicalism and this is true for many other ills of our society. It is ridiculous what can be accessed on the normal net let alone the dark net. Computer science is an accredited university degree so there must be ways that these radical sites can be shut down.
As for dealing with terrorists on the ground, one understands there is sufficient legislation in the UK, it’s more a matter of the number of police to monitor and process them at an early stage. In both London attacks one police officer was killed and another injured.
The time for debate on arming all police must now be over so that they can not only protect themselves but also the public. Reg Dempster, Albany.
Dairies owed protection
Those who object to the Government contributing to the security of dairies, on the grounds they are selling poison and are therefore undeserving, need to remember that same Government, unlike the dairy owners, is making huge profits out of tobacco tax. Who is committing the greater sin?
Tobacco retailers have become tax collectors for the state, with no additional benefits accruing to the retailer. It is only fair that the state provide adequate security for its tax collectors, when those collectors are under attack as a direct result of government policy.
Alex Cook, Greenhithe.
Foiling robberies
If you severally limit access to quantities of cigarettes, the incentive to raid dairies will be greatly reduced. Such a restriction could be achieved with secure dispensers fitted with time-locks that allow only one packet to be dispensed, say, every two minutes. Bulk stock would also be stored within the cabinet with access controlled by time-lock for, say, 20 minutes. The locks would be programmed in such a way that they cannot be overridden even by the storekeeper.
There would be some delay, at busy times, in providing customers with cigarettes but, hey, that’s better than getting your head bashed in.
And I’ve no doubt customers will be understanding. The money is now available from the Government, it just needs a little innovative engineering.
Colin Quincey, Paihia.
Climate folly
Two weeks ago Sri Lanka was devastated with mudslides due to torrential rain. One of the largest icebergs is about to break off the fourth-largest ice shelf in Antarctica. Last year was the hottest on Earth since record keeping began in 1880. Massive areas of the Great Barrier Reef are being damaged by bleaching.
These are just a few examples of mounting evidence, which is overwhelming, pointing to climate change. Donald Trump’s stand to withdraw from the Paris accord defies intelligence.
South Africa called the US pullout “an abdication of global responsibility”.
The response from our Government has been deafening silence. The global outcry over Trump’s folly, and the recommitment of world leaders to making a difference here, gives some encouragement this World Environment Day. Steve Lincoln, Botany Downs.
Reasoned response
Brian O’Neill described reaction to President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris accord as hysteria.
He also asserted the media are not impartial and conform to a left liberal, politically correct agenda. I thought the reaction was one of incredulity and most of the responses were reasoned and accurate.
In a world where the majority of governments, especially in the West, are currently right leaning, I wonder if left liberal journalists would not be a bad thing.
I get a sense that Brian O’Neill tends to agree with President Trump withdrawing from the Paris accord. That is fine, but as all the other countries in the world, several American states as well as cities, and numerous large American business organisations disagree with President Trump, I doubt that the media are reporting this due to some “left liberal politically correct agenda”.
Niall Robertson, Balmoral.